Does the 2023 Ariya Platinum+ e-4ORCE truly herald a new era for electric vehicles? That’s what I aimed to find out when I got behind the wheel of Nissan’s latest offering. Nissan was one of the first carmakers that offered an all-electric car that was available to the masses, with the Nissan Leaf. Sure, there were other cars like the General Motors EV1, but that was a limited production vehicle. The Nissan Leaf heralded, what I call, the second coming of EVs, in the second decade of the 21st century. Tesla was also selling EVs in this era, but their cars were quite a bit expensive and I wouldn’t call those cars mass-market products.
So, did Nissan learn anything from their first electric vehicle and apply it to their second take on an EV? Does the Nissan Ariya deliver on its promise of an impressive range and swift charging?
Stay with me, as I unveil my detailed review and verdict on the 2023 Ariya Platinum+ e-4ORCE.
Key Takeaways
The Nissan Ariya offers competitive ranges of between 348 to 490 kilometers, comparable to its rivals in the EV crossover segment.
The driving experience of the Ariya is characterized by smooth power delivery, a comfortable ride, and limited body roll and stability.
The interior design of the Ariya is uniquely Japanese, with traditional details and a minimalist look. However, headroom and cargo space are limited compared to competitors.
The pricing of the Ariya is higher than some of its rivals, but it offers standard features that are optional on competitors, providing good value for customers.
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2023 Nissan Ariya Canadian Prices
In Canada, the 2023 Ariya comes in six different trims (click here to check out the US trims and prices); these trims differ in battery sizes, power, and FWD/AWD. Below is a list of the different trims with their relevant information:
| Trim | Drivetrain | Price |
| Ariya Engage | FWD | $52,998 |
| Ariya Venture+ | FWD | $59,498 |
| Ariya Evolve e-4ORCE | AWD | $60,598 |
| Ariya Evolve+ | FWD | $64,998 |
| Airya Platinum+ e-4ORCE | AWD | $69,198 |
| Ariya Premiere e-4ORCE | AWD | $69,998 |
The above prices do not include options, Freight & PDI, and taxes (and federal and provincial incentives). The prices are in line with competitors in this class, some might be a bit cheaper while others might be a bit more expensive, but they offer different ranges and prices.
Performance and Power Specifications
The Nissan Ariya comes in quite a few configurations, with different power options, different battery sizes, and different driving ranges.
| Trim | Drivetrain | Battery | HP/Torque | Range (km) |
| Ariya Engage | FWD | 63 kWh | 214/221 | 348 |
| Ariya Venture+ | FWD | 87 kWh | 238/221 | 490 |
| Ariya Evolve e-4ORCE | AWD | 63 kWh | 335/413 | 330 |
| Ariya Evolve+ | FWD | 87 kWh | 238/221 | 465 |
| Airya Platinum+ e-4ORCE | AWD | 87 kWh | 389/442 | 426 |
| Ariya Premiere e-4ORCE | AWD | 87 kWh | 389/442 | 426 |
Our review car was the 2023 Ariya Platinum+ e-4ORCE, which comes with the larger 87 kWh battery pack, AWD thanks to its dual motors, and an estimated driving range of 426 kilometers (in ideal conditions.) The boasts an impressive combined output of 389 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, showcasing its substantial power and performance capacity. This power is instrumental in its acceleration performance, as it can propel the vehicle from 0 to 100 km/hr in a swift 5.1 seconds.
The Ariya’s is pretty fun to drive, thanks to its power and torque. When it comes to handling dynamics, the Ariya Platinum+ E-4orce doesn’t disappoint. Its firm springs and dampers provide the vehicle with a comfortable ride while maintaining limited body roll and stability. This enhances the vehicle’s handling and ensures a more responsive and enjoyable drive. The Ariya’s suspension and driving dynamics reminded me of the Kia EV6, which is a sporty version of the Ioniq 5, both of these vehicles compete directly with the Ariya.
The brakes on the Ariya feel natural and I didn’t notice when the system switched between regenerative and mechanical braking. There are two different levels of regeneration, but no true one-pedal driving where the vehicle comes to a complete stop with the foot of the accelerator.
The 2023 Nissan Ariya gets a 79/100 from J.D. Power.
Nissan Ariya Driving Range & Charging Speeds
One of the biggest questions on any potential EV buyer’s mind is the driving range. The Nissan Ariya can be had with an estimated driving range of 330 kilometers to 490 kilometers, depending on the battery size and motors. These ranges are estimates and are quoted in ideal conditions.
Our review took place in January, with unseasonably cold weather and lots of snow, with temperatures ranging from -10 to -5 Celsius (14 to 23 Fahrenheit). This may seem like warm winter temperatures for the rest of Canada, but in Vancouver, these are very cold temperatures. Our Ariya Platinum+ e-4ORCE should have had a range of 426 kilometers on a full charge, however, in real life the story was quite different and I was quite disappointed with the displayed range of 257 kilometers on a fully charged battery. I know cold temperatures reduce electric vehicles’ range, but this seemed excessive. But then again, I’ve never reviewed an EV in these types of temperatures and I made liberal use of the heater.
Also keep in mind, that it’s recommended to not charge the battery over 80% for daily use and to not let it drain below 20%; the Ariya would have a usable range of only 154 kilometers in these types of conditions, which are not abnormal temperatures in the rest of the country during winter months.
Unlike the Ioniq 5 and EV6 twins, the Ariya doesn’t use an 800-volt architecture, therefore the charging times are slower. On a level 2 240-volt home charger, it should take 10.5 hours to fully charge the 63 kWh battery-equipped Ariya and 14 hours for the 87 kWh battery-equipped Ariya.
On level 3 charges, the 63 kWh battery can be charged to 80% in 35 minutes (130 kW charger) and 65 minutes (50 kW charger). While the larger battery would take 40 and 90 minutes on the same chargers. These times are estimates when the conditions are ideal and will be slowed down by the cold weather.
Interior Design and Comfort
Stepping inside the Ariya Platinum+ E-4orce, one is immediately struck by its deliberate infusion of traditional Japanese styling, creating an interior that’s both minimalist and rich in detail. The Kumiko-inspired styling makes its presence felt, particularly in the intricate patterns on the speaker grilles and console accents, providing a touch of tranquility amid the tech-heavy design.
Like most other EVs, the Nissan Ariya also comes with quite large touchscreens that control various functions. The Ariya is equipped with dual 12.3″ screens, one for the gauge cluster and the other for the infotainment section. These screens provide plenty of information and the touchscreen responds fairly quickly to the touch.
There are a few “buttons” below the touchscreen, but they’re hidden behind the wood panel, which you press on to interact with, these hidden buttons glow when the vehicle is on and go dim, and are almost invisible when the vehicle is off. These buttons are for climate control. A similar set of “buttons” can be found on the center console, which controls the driving mode, auto stop, and the electric motor regen. The center console can be moved backward and forward, at least on our higher trim Ariya. This feature may not seem that useful, but in the short week I had the Ariya for a review, I used it to get into the driver’s seat from the passenger’s seat because I couldn’t get out of the driver’s side door, thanks to the car next to me being parked too close.
There is plenty of leg room for the front and rear occupants, thanks to the wheels being pushed to the front and rear. However, I found headroom wasn’t as much as the Ioniq 5’s, it was similar to the Kia EV6.
Features of the Ariya Platinum+ E-4orce include:
- Kumiko-inspired detailing on speaker grilles and console accents
- Minimalist, uncluttered dashboard design with haptic feedback buttons
- High seating position offering excellent forward visibility
- Limited headroom and cargo space, somewhat lagging behind competitors
- A design language that beautifully marries Japanese tradition with cutting-edge technology
Nissan Ariya Styling
The Nissan Ariya has pretty good looks, in my opinion. It’s not going to win any beauty competitions but it does have “personality” and doesn’t look like an aerodynamic blob. It looks better in person than in pictures, the bronze color on our review car was quite striking.
The design is quite sporty, with swooping lines, making it somewhat similar to the EV6 and the Mach-E, it’s not boxy like the Ioniq 5 and VW ID.4, which does sacrifice a bit of interior space for a more stylish look.
Final Thoughts on the Nissan Ariya EV
Overall, the Ariya Platinum+ e-4orce is a decent electric vehicle, but I wouldn’t call it a game-changer. It does offer many different configurations, which provides somewhat affordable choices to those looking at not spending too much money but it can also get quite expensive with the higher trims.
The mid-size electric CUV segment is getting quite crowded with offerings from many manufacturers, the Nissan Ariya competes with the above-mentioned vehicles like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV 6, and others like the Volkswagen ID.4, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and let’s not forget the world’s best selling EV, the Tesla Model Y.
